Collapsible tube squeezer



J. LovRlcH 2,013,389

coLLAPsIBLE TUBE SQUEEZER Sept. 3, 1935.

Filed Feb. l2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l sept, 3, 1935. 1 LOVRICH 2,013,389 l COLLAPSBLE TUBE SQUEEZER Filed Feb. l2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3, 1935Y UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 'I'he present invention relates to new and useful improvements in collapsible tube squeezers and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character y comprising a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts through the medium of lwhich the contents of a collapsible tube may be conveniently ejected as desired in a neat, sanitary and otherwise 'generally satisfactory manner.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a squeezing device of the aforementioned characterwhich may be expeditiously connected or attached to the tube and removed therefrom when said tube has been emptied. Another important object of the invention is to provide a squeezer of the character described which embodies a construction which is such that substantaly all of the contents of the tube may be ejected, thus materially reducing or eliminating waste.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a collapsible tube squeezer which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and whereinz- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an embodiment of the invention, showing the same attached tothe closed end or bottom of a collapsible tube.

Figure 2 is a view in verticalsection through the invention, showing how the device is attached to the collapsible tube.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, showing the invention substantially at the beginning of the winding or squeezing operation.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, showing the invention after the squeezing operation has progressed as compared with the illustration in Figure 3.

Figure 51s a plan view of the invention.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view.

Figure 'l is a detail view of the blank from which the plate and slotted ears or arms are formed.

Figure 8 is a detail view inperspective of the winding key. .v

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention whichhas been illustrated comprises an outwardly or rearwardly curved linger plate I of suitable resilient metal which is engageable with one side -of the collapsible tube 2. At its lower end, the

flnger plate I is curved forwardly andthen upwardly; as at 3, and terminates in a resilient pressure plate 4 which is engageable by the thumb of the hand in which the device is being held, as suggested in Figure 1 of the drawings. 'I'he pressure plate 4 terminates in an outwardly curved upper end portion 5 to prevent the thumb from slipping therefrom.

Formed integrally with the side edges of the nger plate I are ears 6 which project forwardly beyond the pressure plate 4. The ears 8 have formed therein slots I in which a removable winding key 8 is operable. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 8 of the drawings, the shank of the winding key 8 has formed therein a slot 9 for the reception of the usual flat, closed end of the collapsible tube 2. 'I'he bifurcations of the key 8 are rounded on their free ends, as at I0, to facilitate slipping said key on the tube. The key 8 further includes anv operating handle I I.

by slipping the bifurcated key 8 over the closed end of the tube as said key is inserted in the device. With the squeezer held in one hand, as suggested in Figure 1 of the drawings, the key 8 is then rotated with the other hand through the medium of the handle I I in a manner to wind the collapsible tube 2 thereon, as suggested in Figures 3 and 14 of the drawings. As the tube is wound on the key 8 the pressure of the plate 4 thereagainst retains said key closely adjacent the plate I in the slots 1 for forcing the contents from said tube. The slots 'l permit the key 8 to shift v sufficiently to compensate for the increase in the diameter of the roll of tube on said key 8. The resiliency ofA the metal from which the device is formed will permit the portions I and 4 to spread sufficiently to accommodate the roll as it increases in size.

It is believed that the many advantages of a collapsible tube squeezer constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment ,of the :mennen is as illustrates and descr:

, it is to be understood that changes l in the details o! construction and yin the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will 'l fall within the scope ofthe invention as claimed.

1. Av collapsible tube squeezer comprising a curved finger plate engageable with one side of the tube, opposed ears projecting from the nger lo plate. said ears having slots therein, the fingerv 15 and transversely ofthe longitudinal axis of the key. said key bemgadapted for connection with the tube for winding said tube, the pressure plate being engageable with the portion ofthe tube which is wound on the key..V l

2. A collapsible tube squeezer comprising elongated channel member having opposed ears projecting from the edges of one side oi' the member across the ends thereof and having longitudinal slots formed therein, and a removable winding key rotatably mounted in the slots and movable longitudinally ot the slots and transversely ot the longitudinal axis o! the key and adapted for connection with the utube ior winding said tube, one side of the member being curved upwardly and outwardly to form a guide and the otherside being shorter and curved upwardly and outwardly to form a pressure plate, the member being formed oi' resilient material.

JOHN LOVRICH. 

